There are several things in America today that are destroying our nation from within. One of those things is pornography. Pornography is rooted from the Greek word "Porneia", which basically means "illegal sexual activity." Examples the Greek definition gave were: prostitution, fornication, adultery, and sodomy. The Oxford English Dictionary states the following. I quote:

"The word pornograph means "an obscene writing or pictorial illustration". A Pornographer is "one who writes of prostitutes and obscene matters". The 1886 Literary World(U.S.) states, "They call themselves naturalists, but they are infact only pornographers, and immature, inexperienced, conceited, love-mad youngsters." Pornographic is defined as "of, pertaining to, or of the nature of pornography and dealing in the obscene". Pornography is life and manners of prostitutes and their patrons; hence, the expression or suggestion of obscene or unchaste subjects in literature or art". The 1857 Dunglison Medical Dictionary states that pornography is a description of prostitutes or of prostitution as a matter of public hygiene."

End Quote. The 1997 Deluxe Black's Law Dictionary defines pornography as "That which is of or pertaining to obscene literature... if it depicts in an offensive way sexual conduct and if the work taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." In 1998, the Supreme court ruled this when a subgroup demanded that their obscene art be funded by the government, "The First Amendment protects artists' rights to express themselves as indecently and disrespectfully as they like, but does not compel the Government to fund that speech." The Supreme called the pornographic art "indecent" and "disrespectful"... American society simply calls it art and entertainment, but it is simply morally wrong. I spoke with Professor of Psychology who said that there are several case studies that reveal connections between pornography and violent crime. She gave examples of rapists, psychopaths, sociopaths, and Geoffrey Dommer who is reported by authorities as being a pornography addict. The professor said, "Studies indicate that addiction to pornogrpahy is considered abnormal and that the addicts tend to have no compassion." She concluded the interview by stating, "You are a product of your experiences." The "Porno Fact Sheet" of the American Family Association (AFA) February '94 gives these 13 points:

1. Porno is intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal.2. Pornography is big business in the U.S. with revenues growing from an estimated $1 billion in 1970 to over $10 billion today.3. 85% of those revenues go into the pockets of organized crime, much of it untaxed.4. There are more outlets for hard-core pornography in this country (an estimated 15,000-20,000) than McDonalds restaurants (approximately 9,000).5. The largest consumers of pornography are teenage boys and girls.6. An estimated 70% of all pornography ends up in the hands of children with potential adverse long-term effects on their development and maturity.7. Some 350 child pornography magazines are published in the United States on a regular basis.8. Americans buy 2 million tickets to X-rated movies every week.9. 1/5 of all video tape sells are X-rated movies.10. The Commission on Pornography Report of July 3, 1988 concluded that substantial exposure to sexually violent materials bears a casual relationship to antisocial acts of sexual violence and, for some subgroups, possibly to unlawful acts of sexual violence.11. States with highest readership of "men's magazines" have the highest incidence of reported rape.12. Some counselors estimate that two-thirds of sexual problems in marriage today can be traced to the use of pornography.13. According to the First Amendment and Freedom Of Speech, the Supreme Court does not define obscenity or "hard-core" pornography as speech ; therefore, obscenity is currently regarded as a crime not protected by the First Amendment (Roth vs. United States, 1957).

Now some may say, "We are living in the 'Up Age' and need to come out of the 'Puritan Days'." That sounds good; however, we as decent citizens should be willing to avoid every kind of evil. There is a concept in every culture that simply states, "What goes around comes around." We reap what we sow. Even more simply stated, what people fill themselves with and what they expose themselves to induces changes within the individual. For instance, if someone becomes dedicated to a habit in turn it is hard to break. Porno is said by some former members of the porno industry to be just as addictive as tobacco, alcohol, drugs or gambling. It has caused a multitude of divorces as spouses have demanded "more and more" sexually of their mates. It has caused many to mentally undress their neighbors, fellow workers and started them on the road to seduction and sexual abuse. I've said in the past and I'll say it tonight, "You become what you fill yourself with." I spoke with a local University employee about the Pornography issue. She overheard me telling the subject of my speech to someone. She said that she had been dating someone for 2 years and was engaged , but her fiance' became addicted to pornography. She tried to be understanding when he began making sexual demands of her. I won't go into specific details but he later became involved sexually with a minor. The minor had sent him nude photos. Needless to say, the couple broke their engagement. Pornography damages relationships. It inhibits rational thought. My cousin was a victim of rape. The rapist was a college basketball player, rich, very popular, an A-student, and he and his friends loved to view pornographic material. Well, what do you know, pornography must've planted a seed of twisted desire within the young man. In response to the concerned reader, the man was sent to prison. Again, you reap what you sow. In truth, pornography is hurting our nation from within because it places the wrong thoughts and desires into our minds, leading to deterioration. We've explored past to present definitions of pornography. We've looked at what professionals have stated on the issue. Can't you see? Pornography is horribly wrong!

Biblical response:

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7

I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me. Psalms101:3

Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, Neither let her captivate you with her eyelids. For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap, And his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. Proverbs 6:25-29

Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call intelligence thy kinswoman: that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words. For at the window of my house, I looked forth through my lattice, and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the sons, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the blackness of night and the darkness. And behold, there met him a woman in the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart. She is clamorous and unmanageable; her feet abide not in her house: now without, now in the broadways, --and she lieth in wait at every corner. And she caught him and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows: therefore came I forth to meet thee, to seek earnestly thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with tapestry coverlets of variegated linen from Egypt; I have perfumed my couch with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us revel in love until the morning, let us delight ourselves with loves. For the husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey; he hath taken the money-bag with him, he will come home on the day of the full moon. With her much enticement she beguiled him; with the smoothness of her lips she constrained him. He went after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, and as stocks serve for the correction of the fool; till an arrow strike through his liver: as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for its life. And now, ye sons, hearken unto me, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths: for she hath cast down many wounded, and all slain by her were strong. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:4-27

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you." John 5:14

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:11-14

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. But if they have not control over themselves, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn. But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but who has authority over his own will (and has so judged in his heart that he will keep his virginity) he does well. 1 Corinthians 7:1, 9, 37

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:16-24

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:3-6

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.Ehesians 4:18-19, 22-24

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. And have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness. Instead, expose them for what they are. Ephesians 5:3-7, 11

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 1 Thessalonians 4:3

For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost Titus 3:3-5

For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to rescue those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.James 1:12-14

What causes wars and contentions among you? Is it not the cravings which are ever at war within you for various pleasures? Submit therefore to God: resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you who are half-hearted towards God. James 4:1,7,8

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you in regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who brought you the good news through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things that even the angels desire to look into. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not be shaped by the desires that you once had in your ignorance. Instead, just as the one who called you is holy, be holy in every aspect of your life. For it is written, "You must be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:12-16

Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 2 Peter 2:9

For everything that is in the world-the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God's will remains forever. 1 John 2:16-17

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 18-21

I am only one.But still I am one.I cannot do everything.But still I can do something.And because I cannot do everything,I will not refuse to dothe something that I can do.Edward Evette Hale